March

Crack the Code

ELA, MATH, AND STEM CHALLENGES

(Grade 1)
Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Want to g et your students more engaged?
This march themed CRACK THE CODE is
sure to do just that! Your students will be
challenged as they use their creativity,
communication skills, and collaboration abilities in
order to complete this breakout! Have fun as
your students participate in what is sure to be a
memorable breakout full of luck and laughter!
(No locks needed, everything is printable!)

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 You can do this CRACK THE CODE as a whole group activity, or for small groups. If you would
like to do it as a whole class activity,, simply copy just one of each of the items below on
paper color of your choice. If you would like to do this as a small group, I suggest printing
multiple copies of the activity on different color paper to differentiate teams! When I first
had my students complete a breakout CRACK THE CODE we did it as a whole class which I
would highly recommend. This way students get a chance to understand how the breakouts
work with guided instruction. If your students are familiar to breakouts then I would make it
more enga ging by having multiple teams play!

Breakouts are very similar to scavenger hunts where students need to solve different
puzzles/clues in order to get a prize. In this breakout, students will be reading passa ges,
solving math problems, using a letter decoder to decode secret messa ges, and participating
in a stem activity. This is intended to be a timed activity. If it’s your students first time
completing a breakout, I would give them 90 minutes to complete it (you will need to use a
good portion of that time explaining the rules and guiding them through the process). If
your students are already breakout champs, I would set a timer for 60 minutes to
challenge them! I like to project a timer on my smart board to keep students focused on
completing the breakout efficiently and in a timely manner. I have linked a timer for you
to use during this breakout on pa ge 5. There is also a recording sheet included, which
students can use to show their work for each question and submit at the end.

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Each answer box on the recording sheet has a small box in the top right corner. This is for
the teacher to use! If students have the correct answer recorded on their paper, the
teacher will put a checkmark in the box, signaling students to move on to the next clue. If
students do not receive a check mark from you, that lets them know they must go back and
redo/check their work. If students are playing in a team, I tell students everyone in the
group must a gree on an answer before approaching me in order to avoid some students
having the correct answer, but not all students. You may also choose to give each group only
one recording sheet to complete as a group. You may also give students “job roles”
throughout the activity such as timer guard (updates the team how much time is left)
noise detector (makes sure their team is working quietly to avoid other groups hearing their
solutions to problems, and negotiator (reminds students to be open to everyone’s ideas, and
to use kind words when students within a group don’t seem to a gree on an answer/solution).

To start make sure each group has the beginning card (you only need one if completing this
whole class). You must also give each student their recording sheet (or one recording sheet
per group if you prefer). Once the students read the beginning card, they will immediately
start looking for clue #1. Once they solve the first clue, they will move onto the next clue,
and this pattern will continue for the remainder of the breakout. All clues can be hidden
anywhere! Use the following pa ges to guide you through the set up of this breakout. Enjoy!

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 To time your
students using
a Google Slides
template
download HERE

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Read this card to
start the game.
If playing in
The luck of the Irish is what you’ll need groups, give one
Because this game is tricky indeed. beginner card to
The clues are hiding in spots high and low each group. If
using these as
Let’s see how far your mind can go. centers, place
Start with a game that tests your skills. them at various
spots in the
Look in the room for some big bills! rooms where
centers take
place.
HINT Bills = Money

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Some of the bills
contain a small pot
Now your eyes are key of gold on them.
Look for a pot of gold where it shouldn’t be. Students need to
count up the bills
Count up how much money have pots of gold. that contain pots
Solve it quick, and write it down like you’re told. of gold ($21).

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 SETUP: Cut out each of the bills and place them on a table together
(or tape them up on a wall together). Clue #1 should also go next to
these bills! Mix up the bills so the bills that have a pot of gold on them
are mixed in with the regular bills. It should look like this...

Herel
is a
hidden
pot of
gold!
PRINT AND
CUT OUT
PRINT AND
CUT OUT
 Passage 2 contains
bold colored words
Great job solving your very first clue! throughout the
text. The words
You worked like a champ, but that’s nothing new.
spell...
For clue number 2 it’s reading you’ll need
Find the text, read closely, that’s how to succeed. Ireland is
Now read the text about Ireland’s history famous for
And notice the colors to solve the mystery.
So their answer
can be anything
from the text
that Ireland is
famous for.

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Ireland is an island that is a bit larger than the state of
West Virginia. There are many cool things about Ireland that
make it special!
One thing is Ireland has fast moving weather. This
means storms happen quickly. If you’re not ready, you may
get stuck in bad weather and get wet! Ireland is also famous
for its music and dance. Some famous Irish instruments are
bagpipes and fiddles. Ireland also has neat dancing. Irish
dancing is a type of dance, where dancers keep their upper
body very still and their arms next to their sides while making
very fast moves with their legs and feet.
Ireland is also known for its tasty meals! Many of
Ireland’s meals are made with potatoes, a popular food in
Ireland. You can also visit cool spots in Ireland like the famous
Cliffs of Moher. These cliffs are 390 feet tall! Ireland sure is a
beautiful place to visit.
 Place 30 pennies on a
table for students to
complete this challenge.
STEM CHALLENGE Students must build a
bridge using all of the
pennies. Use less
pennies if 30 seems like
This next job is tricky but give it a try too many for your kids!

You need to build a bridg e to let a Leprechaun pass by.

Student
Now there is only one rule,
example
all pennies must be used!
So build your penny bridg e,
and don’t give up when confused.

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Cut apart the pieces
to the shamrock
puzzle and mix them
up! Students must
Way to work hard, your bridge was great complete the
shamrock in order to
Now put together this puzzle,
go to the next clue.
hurry don’t wait!
Solved
(HINT) 5+5 and 10 are the same puzzle
So those two pieces should be touching,
that’s how to play the game.

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 1 digit by 1 digit ADDITION
Cut apart the
pieces to this
shamrock

7
9
5+5
puzzle. Place all
puzzle pieces

5+8
13
on a table, or
in a baggie for
students to
solve.
 The answers
circled are the
letters C A G E
which spell CAGE!
The next text you’ll find is a fun one indeed
This will lead
You’ll learn about the first of Spring! students to find
the final clue (the
Notice the letters you circle for answers
picture of a
They will spell a word to help you find my Leprechaun locked
Leprechaun dancer! in a CAGE.)

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 March 20th is the first day of Spring! This day is special,
because on March 20th the length of daylight and length of
nighttime are the same! There are many ways people choose to
celebrate this exciting time of the year.

In many places, people celebrate March 20th with spring

festivals that focus on “new beginnings.” One way you can
celebrate the first day of Spring is by planting seeds! In a garden
(or indoors) you can grow seeds, watch them grow, and track their
height on a chart. This is a fun way to learn about how plants grow
and celebrate the idea of “new beginnings” by giving life to plants!

As we move into Spring, think about how you’d like to celebrate.

Take notice on March 20th how the amount of daylight and
nighttime are the same. Hopefully this day makes you feel balanced!
1. 2.
When is the first day of Spring?
What makes March 20th
special?
a. March 21st
b. Beginning of March a. The amount of daylight and
c. March 20th nighttime are the same.
d. April 1st b. People can go outside.
c. The Sun can’t be seen.
d. People plant seeds.

3. 4.
How do people celebrate the Because of the extra sunlight,
first of spring? people tend to feel
___________ after March 20th.
e. Going on a trip
f. Staying indoors because e. Balanced
it’s dark outside f. Tired
g. Planting seeds g. Confused
h. Cook special meals h. Surprised
1. 2.
When is the first day of Spring?
What makes March 20th
special?
a. March 21st
b. Beginning of March a. The amount of daylight and
c. March 20th nighttime are the same.
d. April 1st b. People can go outside.
c. The Sun can’t be seen.
d. People plant seeds.

3. 4.
How do people celebrate the Because of the extra sunlight,
first of spring? people tend to feel
___________ after March 20th.
e. Going on a trip
f. Staying indoors because e. Balanced
it’s dark outside f. Tired
g. Planting seeds g. Confused
h. Cook special meals h. Surprised
 The answers
circled are the
letters C A G E
which spell CAGE!
This is your last clue This will lead
Solve it quick, then this game is through. students to find
The Leprechaun is stuck here in this ca ge the final clue (the
You must free him before he gets filled with ra ge! picture of a
To free him you must use the clues below Leprechaun locked
On the decoder line up the letters that spell NO.
in a CAGE.)
Use the outside letters and find Once students line up
the code breaker
These letters in green that are now assigned.
they will then search
CDOM for the green letters
on the outside of the
decoder, and match
them with letters on
the inside.
Created by teachinglessonsroom227
 Hang near
Clue #6.

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
You can cut out and
assemble the code Code
breaker for the breaker
students, or you could
give them this sheet Code maker
with scissors and they
• N n
can assemble it. To use A
• O
• I
B R
the code breaker • P
• D
C • O W
students will slide the • Q B
D • L
code breaker through E • R K
• S
the code maker (cut on F • S
• Q P
the dotted lines to slide G • T
• A F
it through) and slide the H • U
• T X
• V
code breaker down until I • H Y
• W
outer letter O lines up J • M C
• X Z
with the inner letter N. K
• Y
• U
L g
Once those letters are • Z
• E
M • V J
aligned the students can
figure out the letter
code!
Here is what the code breaker looks Here is the code breaker when
like when it is put together and the letters NO are lined up
lined up evenly. together.
Find the letters in green from the clue card on the outside. Then it
will reveal the letters on the inside of the code breaker!

These green letters can be seen on the decoder

in green. The matching letters are circled in
yellow and spells out the word DONE.
Name:___________________________ Date:___________________________

Created by teachinglessonsroom227
Name:___________________________ Date:___________________________

$21 dollars Anything that

Ireland is famous
for from the text.

The code
Answers spell the breaker spells
word CAGE. DONE!
Once they are finished
they earn their BRAG TAG!
Created by teachinglessonsroom227
I WORKED HARD I WORKED HARD I WORKED HARD
TO DECODE, TO DECODE, TO DECODE,
AND I CRACKED AND I CRACKED AND I CRACKED
THE CODE! THE CODE! THE CODE!

I WORKED HARD I WORKED HARD I WORKED HARD

TO DECODE, TO DECODE, TO DECODE,
AND I CRACKED AND I CRACKED AND I CRACKED
THE CODE! THE CODE! THE CODE!
Credits:
Images from OPENCLIPART.COM

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